Weekly Reading Round-Up
Mine is a very short round-up this week. I fell under the thrall of L.M. Montgomery’s Anne books (isn’t that an Anne-like way to put it?). Right now, I’m finishing up Anne of Ingleside
Revelation of the week: Miss Cornelia is definitely one of the antecedents of Miss Gwen. They are, as Anne would put it, kindred spirits. I also love that Miss Cornelia, like Miss Gwen, goes on being referred to as Miss Cornelia even after she’s married Marshall Elliot. Miss Cornelia she is and Miss Cornelia she stays. (Continuing to utter her signature phrase, “Just like a man!”)
What have you been reading this week?
Finally, I am in the beginning chapter of Devil’s Cub by Georgette Heyer. Other than trying to make heads or tails of the bewildering array of characters she introduces, I think it will set up to be one of my favorite Heyer reads. I’m already savoring the witty and clever dialogue that characterizes Heyer above most others in this genre. Thank you, dear readers here, who have recommended this one more than once.
I read “You Knew Me When.” It was a fluffy beach read. No real surprises and quick to read. One of the main characters seriously irritated me – she held on to a really childish grudge for 12 years, but I really liked the other characters.
I loved Rhys Bowen’s latest, Heirs and Graces. I was very disappointed in L Koppel’s non-fiction Astronauts Wives Club. A very interesting topic, but written at a sixth grade level.
I read Thirteen by Kelley Armstrong, then I borrowed the hardback edition from the library so I could read the extra story “From Russia with Love” at the end, and now I’m starting Cold Days by Jim Butcher.
Finished Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand (H. Simonson) and started reading Neverwhere (I adore Neil Gaiman’s work).
Loved Maj Pettigrew!
Wouldn’t Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand make a fabulous movie, if handled right?
Yes, yes, yes.! Thought that ever since I read it!
I just finished Margaret Maron’s “Winter’s Child” and will start the next in the series, “Hard Row.”
Prior to that, I read “My Lord Wicked” by Cheryl Bolen,”Fairy Debt” by Gail Carriger, “That Scandalous Evening” by Christina Dodd, and “What Happens in Scotland” by Jennifer McQuiston. Hey, I’m still recuperating from vacation, so heck with housework.
I read The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood and Cinnamon & Gunpowder by Eli Brown. The Handmaid’s Tale was very well written and seemed depressingly realistic given the current political trends. Cinnamon & Gunpowder was set in 1819 and is the story of a female pirate and a kidnapped chef. High seas adventures with a foodie twist. Fun read. I’m in the middle of The Codex by Douglas Preston and Night Film by Marisha Pessl.
Oddly enough, I just finished reading Before Green Gables, by Budge Wilson. It’s Anne’s backstory, from birth to adoption. It starts out a little choppy, but grows more interesting as Anne does.
If you haven’t These Old Shades, then Devil’s Cub seems a bit choppy at first. Unfortunately some people keep recommending the series out of order. Shame on them!
I had no idea These Old Shades and Devil’s Cub were linked.
These Old Shades deals with the parents of Lord Vidal (hero of Devil’s Cub). An Infamous Army then deals with the grandchildren of Vidal. The Black Moth, though technically not a prequel, can be seen as a rough draft of a majority of the characters in These Old Shades.
So…
1) (Kind of) The Black Moth
2) These Old Shades
3) Devil’s Cub
4) An Infamous Army
Excellent series, and it is more enjoyable if read in order.
Of course, to tie it all together, it would really be optimal to read Regency Buck prior to An Infamous Army, as half the characters in An Infamous Army have their roots in the Devil’s Cub, and the other half originated directly from Regency Buck…Happy Reading!
Leave it to me to read most of Georgette Heyer in the wrong order! Devil’s Cub will be, let’s see, about my 25th Heyer read. I’ve read The Black Moth and managed to read Regency Buck and An Infamous Army in the right order. Next? These Old Shades of course…G H is almost always a happy read for me.
The newest Catherine Coulter, “Bombshell.” I enjoy her FBI series, but this one was hard to get into. Not sure why. But still a fun read. Then “Margot.” It is about Anne Franks sister and imagines she actually survived the concentration camps and assumes a new identity in America. Have not finished it yet but thus far it is very interesting. I am enjoying it.
I’ve been reading some Doctor Who books, currently on one staring the 2nd Doctor with a futuristic Roman Empire.
I read Neil Gaiman’s newest, Fortunately the Milk, which was a sweet little kids story, basically, if Doctor Who did you shopping.
Now I’m reading the 3rd Louise Rennison Tallulah Casey book, and I think Louise needs to get out of a rut, badly.
I read this week Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie. Very sexy, but very good. I loved it!
I also read Whispering Rock by Robin Carr. It was ok. It’s part of The Virgin River series, which is kind of like reading a soap opera.
I have just finished reading The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery for the fifth time. I LOVE LOVE LOVE that book.
Sorry to be wearing out this week’s weekly reading round-up but it is striking a chord on what I really love to read. Lauren, I’ve read the entire Anne of Green Gables series all the way to Rilla of Ingleside, 100+ of L M Montgomery’s short stories, The Story Girl and next in my sights is The Blue Castle. L M Montgomery is my favorite historical author, right behind Jane Austen.
Amen to that.
Oddly enough I just finished “Passion of the Purple Plumeria” and now I’m on to “Ashford Affair”. I’ve been on a very English kick, probably in anticipation of the upcoming season of Downton Abbey 🙂 The Anne books were one of my very favorites growing up and I can’t wait to pass the love on to a new generation!